These young people don't know shit...!

As most of you know, I'm a fairly transparent person so I think this is a really important topic that doesn't get covered nearly enough.

I work primarily within the Construction, Agriculture, and Transportation industries — and let’s be honest, these are cultures that can still be a little rough around the edges. It’s part of their history, built on grit, long days, and no-nonsense people who take pride in hard work.

In the past few years, employers have taken a much more active role in leadership development and in building awareness around what used to be considered “normal” behavior — the toxic mindsets, the outdated communication styles, the “sink or swim” mentality that defined so many job sites. I applaud that shift on the highest level. The willingness to soften, to lead with some empathy, and to train managers in real leadership skills is one of the most important changes happening in these industries today.

But there’s still tension. I hear it in conversations every week — the complaints about the younger generation not meeting expectations, not having the same work ethic, being "dumb", not being “tough enough.” At the same time, I hear employers struggling to manage a blended workforce — seasoned employees with decades of experience working side-by-side with new hires who have completely different communication styles, learning preferences, and life priorities.

It’s not an easy balance. The old guard is trying to pass down knowledge earned through sweat and time, while the new generation is asking for a voice, flexibility, and purpose. Both sides have value. The problem isn’t that one is right and the other is wrong — it’s that we’re still learning how to connect the two.

I understand that the advice or suggestions I offer may not always be effective, but I'm also aware that without trying something new, nothing will ever change. We need to pause and identify precisely when the disconnect occurs. The exact moment when tension begins, not when it has fully escalated or days later. If employers and/or employees don't want to change or even consider it then I would suggest you stop here and simply move on but maybe, just maybe the below will help spin a few wheels you haven't thought of before.

Seeing the Details:

Why Experience Shapes How We Build

In construction, the difference between someone who is learning and someone who is experienced can often be seen in the smallest of details. It’s not that the learner doesn’t care or isn’t trying — it’s that their mind simply hasn’t learned to see what you see yet. The ability to notice subtle details — the way rebar ties line up, the tone of a jobsite conversation, the sequence of trades, or the feel of a tool in your hand — develops only through time, repetition, and reflection.

The Learning Curve on the Jobsite

When someone new enters construction, their focus is survival. They’re thinking about the immediate task: reading the plans correctly, getting their measurements right, finishing the pour before it sets. Their mind is working overtime just to stay on track. At this stage, the details experienced foremen or project managers see instantly — the slope of a form, a missed anchor bolt, the order of deliveries — often go unnoticed.

This isn’t because the learner lacks talent or drive. It’s because experience literally rewires how the brain processes work. The more time you spend in the field, the more patterns you recognize. The noise of the jobsite quiets, and you start to see — not just look.

Experience Sees the Ripple Effect

A seasoned builder knows that no task stands alone. Every decision, every small detail, connects to something else. Experienced people see the ripple effect: how missing a dimension early can throw off framing later, or how poor communication between trades can delay the entire project.

A new worker focuses on how to do it right.An experienced professional focuses on why it needs to be done that way.

That “why” is what separates competence from craftsmanship. It’s what keeps projects on budget, teams safe, and schedules realistic.

The Role of Mentorship

Every experienced builder once stood where the new person stands now — unsure, overwhelmed, trying to get it right. The most successful companies know this and build strong mentorship into their culture. Mentorship isn’t about barking orders or fixing mistakes after they happen; it’s about teaching people to see the details before they become problems.

A great foreman, superintendent, or project manager doesn’t just correct — they explain. They connect dots, showing how small things add up to the bigger picture. That’s how knowledge transfers across generations in this industry.

Patience Builds Skill

Construction leaders sometimes forget that learning takes time. The best crews are those that balance urgency with patience — that teach and correct without discouraging. The goal isn’t perfection overnight; it’s steady progress and pride in improvement.

For those learning the trade, patience with yourself is just as important. Missing details now doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for it. Every veteran on the jobsite once made the same mistakes — and that’s how they learned to see what others miss today.

The Takeaway

In construction, mastery isn’t measured only in what you can build — it’s in what you can see. Details are the language of experience. The longer you work in this industry, the clearer that language becomes.

The learner builds with their hands.The experienced builder builds with their eyes.And the best of the best? They build with both — guided by the wisdom of those who took the time to teach them how to truly see.

I truly hope you see some value in this article, be in big or small.

Thank you,

Keri, Owner

WCSR